BBC iPlayer widget gets big upgrade to v2.5
Published by Steve Litchfield at 10:53 UTC, November 4th 2009
For compatible devices, the BBC iPlayer widget just got a big update from version 1.6 to version 2.5 (hat tip to Nokia Users). Speed and formatting are much better, and there are improvements in encoding and N97 homescreen widget support. More information, including some screenshots, in the full story.
Encoding / playback improvement are dependent upon the phone being used and the program being watched (it seems not all programs are converted to all resolutions / bit rates).
Get the new widget by going to www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/iplayer/ in Web on your phone.
The functionality available (playback over 3G, download ability, streaming live TV) varies depending upon your operator (Vodafone and 3 allow connections over 3G) and device (and sometimes firmware version too). The officially compatiable devices include the Nokia N85, N86, N95, N95 8GB, N96, N97, 5800 and E71, the Samsung i8510 and i8910, but iPlayer also works on other devices including the recently released Sony Ericsson Satio.
If you can help add information about possible wider device compatibility then please do so in the comments thread.
Categories: Software
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition, S60 5th Edition
News Discussion
Unregistered
"Your phone is not supported"
FFS Aunty, sort it out.
FFS Aunty, sort it out.
scott_87
no download option on my N97 anymore :(
why!?
why!?
slitchfield
'Download' depends on the programme. Try a different programme?
Download works fine here on the N97 for most programmes....
Download works fine here on the N97 for most programmes....
Unregistered
Seems to be s60 v5 only, no update to the v3 version. Hate it that they removed realplayer integration, the new streaming model always breaks up and has errors half way through
Unregistered
There is still a download option, but three things to watch out for:
1.) There used to also be a 'download' link on the screen dump (where, the 'click to play' icon is). It's no longer there. It's just below the screen dump now.
2.) Some programs don't have a 'download' option at all.
3.) It seems that if you are on a UMTS/GPRS connection instead of WiFi, download may be disabled. That could be a 'feature' of the app introduced at the request of service providers.
1.) There used to also be a 'download' link on the screen dump (where, the 'click to play' icon is). It's no longer there. It's just below the screen dump now.
2.) Some programs don't have a 'download' option at all.
3.) It seems that if you are on a UMTS/GPRS connection instead of WiFi, download may be disabled. That could be a 'feature' of the app introduced at the request of service providers.
Unregistered
It sucks that if you travel outside the UK but live there you cannot use this widget! Also they state that the radio is available from your PC outside the UK. You'ld think they would make it available on the mobile overseas as well.
UKJeeper
Tried to install this 'new' version a couple of different ways, but it looks like the .wgz i'm downloading from the link above is still 1.6.0?
qubika
I tried to navigate to the iPlayer page using Opera and it said not supported on your device. Tried again with the E71 default browser and got the download which seems to work fine.
Unregistered
yup - doesn't seem to work with opera mini on the n97 not sure why - it says unsupported device - but if you use the default web app on the n97 it allows you to download - weird
Pawlee
is a new version for v3, just doesn't notify you at any stage of the install process... just install the widget, overwrite your previous version, and load up and check the version... (well, you don't even need to check, it should instantly look different)
its new for my n86 at least
also - as per previous versions the download function is ONLY available when using a wifi network, I'm pretty sure BBC specified this at some point (maybe on their website?)
its new for my n86 at least
also - as per previous versions the download function is ONLY available when using a wifi network, I'm pretty sure BBC specified this at some point (maybe on their website?)
Unregistered
Great app. But only for people in UK :( Is there a way through which I can make it believe that I am accessing it from UK? Now don't scream at me. I know how people of UK use Hotspot shield to bypass the requirements of Hulu. :)
sjgore
To all the people using Opera Mini and having problems:
The Opera servers delivering the content to your phone are effectively the device, and not your mobile phone. Therefore, not surprisingly, the device is unknown. When using your phone's built-in browser, you are connecting your phone directly to the website, and therefore it can detect your phone model. This affects any website trying to detect your phone model, not just the BBC.
BTW, version 2.5 is working fine on my N96.
Steve.
The Opera servers delivering the content to your phone are effectively the device, and not your mobile phone. Therefore, not surprisingly, the device is unknown. When using your phone's built-in browser, you are connecting your phone directly to the website, and therefore it can detect your phone model. This affects any website trying to detect your phone model, not just the BBC.
BTW, version 2.5 is working fine on my N96.
Steve.
Unregistered
My opera problem was different. iPlayer refused to work after I installed Opera mobile beta. I uninstalled Opera Mobile beta and everything was OK again.
Unregistered
can anyone help with this? I've installed the new version of iplayer on my 5800 and it's all good until I try to search for a programme. As soon as I enter the search, it boots me out! Help!
Unregistered
Is the new BBC iPlayer app compatible with the N86 and work okay on the phone or is it just for touchscreen phones only?
Pawlee
yes it is n86 compatible, and yes it is new for 3rd edition phones (ie n85, n96, n86 etc)
Unregistered
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Pawlee
yes it is n86 compatible, and yes it is new for 3rd edition phones (ie n85, n96, n86 etc)
|
Unregistered
Will this widget work on all E series s60 phones?
I was considering the Nokia E55, anyone own this phone and tried it on there?
Many thanks,
P
I was considering the Nokia E55, anyone own this phone and tried it on there?
Many thanks,
P
langdona
I re-downloaded on my E71 but it just offered me version 1.00 which I reinstalled but it was the same as I already had.
Anyone managed to get anything other than 1.00 on their E71?
Anyone managed to get anything other than 1.00 on their E71?
MisterM
Works really nicely on N86 - seems MUCH quicker.
Dan Din
All well and good - but when will it be available for the E75? We already know it's compatible - just check the web to see how people are already doing it. But surely the BBC could easily add more handsets which are already compatible?
tgdub
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by langdona
I re-downloaded on my E71 but it just offered me version 1.00 which I reinstalled but it was the same as I already had.
Anyone managed to get anything other than 1.00 on their E71? |
Digitalink
Clicking on the widget download link gives the response 'Unable to download 'Iplayer.wgz'.
Same thing attempting to update from within the existing Iplayer App. It presents a download button on its home screen but phone won't download the file.
I made sure my web browsing was via my wifi connection and not 3G. I used both the standard Nokia Browser and Opera mini. Incidentally the reason you can't download it through Opera is probably because you can't restict Opera to a WIFI network. It automatically dials in via 3G and Auntie BEEB won't let you loose with its toys unless its via WIFI.
My N97 is now running FW version 20 and strangley I am having the same problem updating the OVI application. Phone can't download the required file then OVI kicks me out.
If any one knows how to resolve this or knows a link to a fix, please post it. I have tried to E mail the BBC on this through one of their spurious 'Contact us' links. It seems the flow of communication is all one way. Anyone know how to get anything other than an automated response from them?, please let us know.
Same thing attempting to update from within the existing Iplayer App. It presents a download button on its home screen but phone won't download the file.
I made sure my web browsing was via my wifi connection and not 3G. I used both the standard Nokia Browser and Opera mini. Incidentally the reason you can't download it through Opera is probably because you can't restict Opera to a WIFI network. It automatically dials in via 3G and Auntie BEEB won't let you loose with its toys unless its via WIFI.
My N97 is now running FW version 20 and strangley I am having the same problem updating the OVI application. Phone can't download the required file then OVI kicks me out.
If any one knows how to resolve this or knows a link to a fix, please post it. I have tried to E mail the BBC on this through one of their spurious 'Contact us' links. It seems the flow of communication is all one way. Anyone know how to get anything other than an automated response from them?, please let us know.